[resolved] Add post to static home page (2 posts)

From a former site I built with help from an experienced WP designer, I copied and pasted some code from the template-homepage.php file into the site I'm currently working on (the link above). I created a post category, and the post is appearing on the page, but it's below the main (left) and sidebar content.

template-homepage.php code: (see html comment in the middle, which is my question)

Related Note - I'm relatively new to WP, but I am trying to migrate to designing exclusively with WP. I would appreciate any suggestions that can teach me how to do more advanced things (like what I'm trying to do here). I don't find the Codex terribly helpful, in that it doesn't provide a lot of linear processes from start to finish; mostly just provides the pieces of the puzzle without full context. Can anyone recommend a book, video series, etc. that could help me with more advanced WP procedures and techniques? Thank you.